Individual Therapy
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”
– Henry David Thoreau
Something is missing
In your still moments alone, do you sense that time is slipping away?
Do you worry that your life isn’t meaningful – that you aren’t putting the limited number of years you have to good enough use?
Do you wonder if you could be doing more, if you could be more?
You’re not alone.
The elusive spark
There is, within each of us, a propensity toward growth – toward the realization of both our highest potential and our fullest possible experience of life.
But despite this innate tendency, surprisingly, few ever attain this intentional and vibrant life.
Many of us will never exceed much beyond an ordinary, bland existence. And, as a result, the end of life is often accompanied by fear and regret.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
What I’ve learned about people both from my own life and from listening to so many others talk about theirs, is that quite often – and though we might not realize it – we’re just trying to keep our heads above water, we’re merely surviving.
Everything that needs to be done gets done, and perhaps a little more – but not much.
And we stay.
We stay in jobs, relationships, behaviors, and mental and emotional states far too long and for reasons, we probably shouldn’t.
We stay because it’s what we know, because it isn’t that bad, or because it’s safe.
We stay because staying is more comfortable than being alone, or being somewhere else, or because we’re afraid of what people might think.
We stay because we don’t see any other options – or realize there are any.
And in the meantime, tiny pieces of ourselves and of time – pieces so small you wouldn’t notice any one in particular – are quietly peeling away, leaving us forever.
But there is so much more
If you feel you might be spending most of your energy treading water, surviving, or staying when a part of you knows you’d like to be leaving, please know that there is so much more.
Nietzsche encouraged us to live our lives so that we would be willing to repeat them, as they have been lived, over and over, ad infinitum.
If you had to do it all over again…
I use this thought experiment with almost every patient – and consistently within my own life – as a barometer to help determine whether or not I’ve lived any particular hour, day, or year in a way in which I would welcome reliving it.
What does the thought of reliving your life – as it’s been lived – and into forever, elicit within you?
Explorations such as this are a staple of sound therapy and are common in the type of therapy I practice, existential psychotherapy.
Our work together
Philosophical in nature, existential philosophy involves a focus on the issues central to human existence and facilitates substantive changes – rather than just symptom reduction.
It’s ideal for developmental crises; coping with disappointments in yourself, your family, your career or in life; a sense of meaninglessness; grief; death; anxiety; coping with physical limitations or illness; and low self-confidence or feelings of inadequacy.
On the road to the examined life, our work together will help you increase your self-awareness and insight by recognizing patterns of emotions and behavior.
You’ll implement positive daily routines and practices that help you increase your self-confidence – to determine and experience your self-worth – independent of others.
Life is so short. Make the most of your limited time here.
If you’re ready, let’s begin your journey together. Please call us today at (719) 726-0094.
Contact us for a free consultation.
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die,discover that I had not lived.”
– Henry David Thoreau